Beet topper



July 17, 1928. 1,677,444

0. H. HANSEN BEET TOFPER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 14, 1925 fTO A/EX July 17, 1928.

O. H. HANSEN BEET TOPPER Filed Sept. 14, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet Patented July 17, 1928.

UNITED STATES OSWALD H. nimsnm'or PORT WASHINGTON, wrsconsm, assrenon 'ro. HANSEN CANNING MACHINERY-- CORPORATION,

TION OF WISCONSIN.

OF CEDARBUBG, WISCONSIN, A. CORPORA- nnn'r TOPYER,

Application filed September 14, 1925. Serial No. 56,127.

This invention relates in general to improvements in mechanisms for removing su wrtluous appendages and undesirable substances froni objects such as tuberous vegetables, and relates morespecifically to improvements in the construction. and operation of machines for automatically removing leaves, roots and dirtfrom beets, corn or the like. Y

An object of the invention is to rovide an improved machine for removing caves and other undesirable material from beets or the like, which is simple in construction and ellieicnt in operation.

Some of the more specific objects of the present improvement, are as follows:-

To provide simple,.eompact and efficient mechanism for automatically removing the leaves, roots and dirt from vegetable tubers such-as beets, or theihusks and silk-irom corn on the cob. husker- .To provide'an improved topper or of the inclined fluted roll type, wherein the various elements are effectively adjustable to produce maximum efiiciency of operation.

To provide improved means for effecting free delivery of materials from topping or husking machines in order to enhance the capacity and to prevent clogging thereof.

To provide means for enclosing and efiectivel protecting the bearings and drivinggearmg of beet toppers or the like, against ingress of dirt, while permitting convenient access to the enclosed parts.

To provide an improved drive for topping or husking machines, and means for effectively lubricating the driving and supporting elements.

To provide simple, efiicient and readily manipulable means for effecting relative angular adjustment of the fo'llsaof toppers or huskers, about their axes of rotation.

To provide improved means-"tor supporting the rolls of and for adjusting the dri\'- mu gearing of beet toppers efr-i corn huskers. lo prov de other improvementsm the details 0f, )ll$tl'll(2tl0ll and operation of heel;

topping tor corn husking machines, whereby the cost of construction is reduced to a n1in;

imum and the efiiciency of operation is en hanced boa maximum.

' Some of the novel features of beet topper construction, disclosed but not specifically claimed herein, form the subjectmatter of copending applications Serial No. 670,429, filed October-24, 1923, Serial No. 687,191, filed January 19, 1924 and Serial No. 73287 5, filed August l8, 1924.

A clear conception of embodiments of the various features of the present invention and improved topping or husking machine.

Fig.4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view through a portion of the driving mechanism of the improved topping or husking machine. 1

Fig. 5 is an enlarged transverse section through the adjusting mechanisms of two cooperating fluted rolls.

The improved beet topping machine specificially illustrated herein as embodying the invention, comprises in general, a stationary main frame consisting of laterally spaced side frames.24 connected by a plurality of cross braces and other elements; four normally fixed parallel longitudinally inclined roll supports or shafts 7 adjustably supported in bearings 21, 22, associated with two of the connecting elements of the main frame; two pairs of parallel inclined fluted rolls 2, 3 rotatably supported upon the stationary shafts 7 a: hopper consisting of inelined side plates 1Q, 11 and an end plate 12 .for confining and guiding the bodies to be treated along the upper surfaces of the rolls 2, 3; and improyed driving mechanism for continuously-rot m the rolls 2, 3 about their s'upportin' sh a ts 7.

-illhtffstfitlODfllY, inclined roll supporting shafts 7 are supported at their lower ends-in the bearings 21 formed in the lower cross 'frame 20, and-have their upper ends supported in the bearings 22 formed in the gear housing 4 and the gear housing cover 5. Each of the supporth1g shafts 7 is provided near its lower end with a thrust collar 19. The tluted rolls 2, 3 are journalled upon" the shafts 7 above the thrust collars 19, the' ducts for insuring proper lubrication of the roll bearings. The rolls 2 have cooperating longitudinal ridges and grooves which intcr-.

mesh during rotation of these rolls, and the same is true of the cooperating rolls 3. The rolls of each set are rotatable about the supporting shafts 7, in opposite directions and the lower cross frame is provided with recesses 18 between the rolls of each set and beneath the dischargeends of the rolls in order to permit free delivery of materials therefrom.

The improved driving mechanism for rotating the rolls 2, 3 of each set in opposite directions about their supporting shafts 7, comprises a main transverse power shaft 15 supported below the upper ends of the shafts 7 in bearin s associated with the gear housing 4, and iaving driving and idler pulleys 16, 17 associated with a projecting endthereof; spur gears 31 secured to the transverse shaft 15 within the housing '4;

, spur gears rotatably supported uponwstub shafts 33 which are clamped imposition between the casing 4 and the cover 5, and meshing with the gears 31; bevel gears 32 drivingly connected to the spur gears 30 bevel gears 14 meshing with the bevel gears 32 and rotatably supported upon the'outer roll supporting shafts7 and intermeshing spur gears 13 drivingly associated with the rolls 2, 3 of each set. The spur and bevel gears 13, 14, 30, 31, 32 are all housed within the gear housing 4 and the cover 5, being readily accessible upon removal of tliecover 5. The spur gears 13 are journalled directly upon the shafts 7 and are formed integral with coupling members- 28. Each of the rolls 2, 3 has a coupling member-29 formedintegral with its upper end. The coupling members 28, 29 coact with each other and are relatively angularly adjustable about the axesof their supporting shafts"7, by means of set screws 34 which are capable of being locked in position by means of locking screws 38. The coupling members 28, 29 are also connected by means of studs 35 disposed within elongated slots 36, andnuts 37 en gaging the threaded stud ends. The point of penetration of the housing 4 by the power shaft 15, is packed by means of a stuiiing box 26, and similar stufling boxes 23 seal the joints between the coupling members 28 and the housing 4 and cover 5, thus providing a tightly. sealed grease confining chamber 25 within the housing 4 and cover 5. The

upper ends of the shafts 7 are providedwith threaded extensions or portions 9 of reduced diameter which project outwardly beyond the housing 4 andcover 5, and which are engaged by adjusting and locking nuts 27, see Fig. 4.

The side plates 10 of the confining and During normal operation of the improved beet topper, the cooperating fluted rolls 2, 3 of CZlCll' set are rotated continuously in opposite directions upon their supporting shafts 7, by means of power applied to the driving pulley 16 and transmitted from this pulley through the power shaft 15 and the gears 31., 30, 32, 14, 13 directly to the rolls 2. 3. -The beets or other objects which are to be treated, are supplied in bulk to the upper end of the guiding and confining hopper and advance by gravity along and above the rolls 2, between the hopper side -walls 10. The individualbeets are tumbled and tossed about by the rotating rolls '2, 3 until the tops and other superfluous appendages SlCli as roots, are eventually drawn downwardly between the cooperating ridges and grooves of the rolls and are nipped from the tubers. The. materials thus removed from the tubers, drop by gravity to the space between the side frames 24 and may be removed from time to time, in any convenient manner. The cleaned bulbs 0r tubers roll downwardly along the rotat ng rolls 2, 3 and are thoroughly scoured, being eventually discharged through the lower open end of the hopper.

If it is found that the ridges and grooves of the rolls 2, 3 of either set do not properly cooperate to effectively remove the superfluous appendages from the beets, the guard plate 6 may be removed and therolls relatively angularly adjusted" about their sup thus retaining the rolls in adjusted position.

If it is found that the bevel gears 14, 32 or that the spur gears 13 do not properly cooperate, the individual rolls 2,3 together with their couplings and associated gearing may be shifted longitudinally of the roll axesby manipulating the locking and iao adjusting nuts 27. It will thus be apparent that perfect adjustment of the various elements to produce maximum efliciency of operation is readily attainable.

The grease chamber '25 Within the housing 4 and cap 5, may be filled with lubri- 29. The rolls 2, 3 and their supporting shafts 7 as well as the stub shafts 33 are quickly removable upon removal of the cover 5, guard plate 6 and shield 8 thus facilitating dismantling and assembly of the machine.

The recesses 18 formed in the element 20 beneath and between the cooperating rolls 2, 3 effectively prevent lodging of material at the discharge ends of the rolls, and enhance free delivery of the beets and hence the capacity of the machine.

It will also be apparent that the rolls 2, 3 are all identical in structure and hence interchangeable, and the same is true of various other similar elements. By thus forming the elements of the machine, the cost of construction is reduced to a minimum and the manufacturer is enabled to carry a minimum number of different parts in I stock.

It should be understood that it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact details of construction and operation herein shown and described, for various modifications within the scope of the claims may occur to persons skilled in the art.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent 1. In combination, a pair of cooperating rolls rotatable in opposite directions to remove appendages from objects traveling therealong and inclined to deliver the treated objects over the lower ends thereof, means providing supporting bearings located" entirely within said rolls and shielded from contact with the objects treated, and means for effecting movement (if said bearings along the roll axes.

2. In combination, a pair of codperating rolls rotatable in opposite directions to remove appendages from objects traveling therealong and inclined to deliver the treated objects over the lower ends thereof, stationary shafts providing internalsupports for said rolls, and means for effecting longitudinal adjustment of said shafts. f

3. In combination, a pair of cooperating rolls rotatable in opposite directions to remove appendages from objects traveling therealong and inclined to deliver treated objects over the lower-ends thereof, and means for effecting adjustment of said rolls longitudinally of their axes.

4. In combination, a pair of cooperating rolls rotatable in opposite directions to remove appendages from objects traveling thercalong and inclined to deliver treated objects over the lower ends thereof, and means for effecting relative angular adjust ment of said rolls about their longitudinal axes.

5. In combination, a pair of cooperating rolls rotatable in opposite directions to remove appendages from objects traveling therealong and inclined to deliver treated objects over the lower ends thereof, station-- ary shafts providing internal supports for said rolls, and means for effecting relative angular adjustment of said rolls about their supporting shafts.

6. In combination, a pair of copperatin rolls rotatable in opposite directions to remove appendages from objects traveling thcrealong and inclined to deliver treated objects over the lower ends thereof, and a common support for said lower roll ends, said support being recessed below the roll axes between said roll ends to fpermit unobstructed delivery of material rom and between said ends.

7. In combination, a pair of cooperating rolls rotatable in opposite directions to remove appendages from objects traveling therealong and inclined to deliver the treated objects over the lower ends thereof, means providing supporting bearings located entirely within said rolls and shielded from contact with the objects treated, and a com mon support for said bearings spanning the space beneath said lower roll ends, said support bein recessed below the roll axes between sai roll ends to permit unobstructed delivery of material from and between said ends.

8. In combination, a pair of cooperating rolls rotatable in opposite directions toremove appendages from objects traveling therealong and inclined to deliver the treated objects over the lower ends thereof, stationary shafts upon which said rolls are rotatably mounted, and a common support for the lower projecting ends of said shafts, said support a being recessed below the roll axes between said roll ends to permit unobstructed vdelivery of material from and between said ends. I j

In testimon whereof, the signature of the inventor is a ed hereto.

OSWALD H. HANSEN. 

